Will Gun Control Help Republicans Woo Latinos?

Backing new laws will help with Hispanic voters, claims pundit

Adding to the chorus of pundits urging Republicans to change their ways to better attract Hispanics is the Daily Beast's Adam Winkler, a law professor who writes that more gun control could be a notch in the belt of more support for the GOP among that demographic.

"Latino support for the types of reform being talked about in the wake of the Newtown massacre is particularly strong," explains Winkler. "Can Republicans break from their longstanding allegiance to the gun lobby and find a way to support modest gun-control laws like universal background checks?"

One wonders what more Republicans must do to attract Latinos before the party risks ditching its traditional appeal altogether. It's not only immigration policy separating Latino enthusiasm from the GOP - though it's not the singularly compelling issue it's often claimed to be - but economic policy as well. Add 2nd amendment zeal to the list of repellent concepts to Hispanic voters and there's soon little left for conservatives to work with.

First of all, it will have little overall influence. Latino's will not flock in droves if the G.O.P. suddenly makes some token proposal. Secondly, the Republicans will drive away much of their base if they come down too hard on side of gun control. They will lose more than they will gain. There's no "win, win" prize in this box.

That the GOP actually thinks that Latino voters are mindless sheep that they can "woo" is the very problem with the GOP. Adam Winkler should stick to teaching law and avoid anything that smacks of policy-making since it obviously isn't his strong suit.

The FBI determined years ago that the assault weapons ban did nothing to deter crime......Actually they determined that crime rates fell after the ban expired.......It's par for the course that this administration wants to pass a law that restricts conservatives rights..........Most of the people that are making the decision on gun rights know absolutely nothing about firearms and neither do the left wingers on this forum.........

breitbart.com/Big-Journalism references a 2004 University of Pennsylvania study that found the number of people killed in mass shootings was lower during the assault weapons ban, with the exception of 1999, the year of the Columbine massacre.

This is just more specious bunk as everyone rides their high horse in the wake of the shooting. Let's face it, the shooting was a result of a mother that shirked common sense and responsibility by letting her mentally defective son use and familiarize himself with these weapons. Does that mean we literally punish an otherwise law abiding population because of actions of so very few?

Moreover, what this dimwit professor doesn't say is how many current REP supporters would they lose as the party chose to follow this half-baked suggestion and begin publicly fellating Hispanics?

What a stupid question. Where did you get your information on Latinos wanting to give up their second amendment rights? If they do, then they can stay hooked up with the liberals. They will only get their freebie handouts and blanket amnesty from the left wing nutjobs anyway, so it won't make any difference.

Amnesty and welfare, not to mention an instant green card upon landing. Republicans provided all that for Cubans, and got themselves a voting block. Perhaps latinos from elsewhere are holding out for such a deal.

no, but what that sign says to me is "here is a group that has been left unarmed and totally defenseless for you convenience. Please feel free to take whatever you wish for you will encounter no resistance at all."

If gun control legislation is passed in order to win voters then we are rabbit hole nothing matters anymore. Using this tragedy as political scheme is disgusting....oh wait, this is American politics we are talking about isn't it, nevermind.

Money quote: "the party risks ditching its traditional appeal" - how would that be a loss? The Republicans have lost the popular vote in 4 of the last 5 election cycles. Maybe their "traditional appeal" needs to be ditched.